Distributer for force-feed lubricators.



PATENTED Nov. 20, 1906.

R. H. ELKINS. DISTRIBUTER FOR FORGE FEED LUBRIGATORS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/T/VESSES fit/LJW PATENTED NOV. 20, 1906.

R. H. ELKINS.

DISTRIBUTER FOR FORCE FEED LUBRIGATORS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W/T/VESSES Z r 22:30 W204 PEP A TTOP/VEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 20, 1906.

Application filed February 8, 1906. Serial No. 300,147.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROLAND H. ELKINs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sioux City, in the county of Woodbury and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Im rovement in Distributers for Force- Feed ubricators; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to t e accom anying drawings, forming a part thereo Myinvention relates to the lubrication of machinery, and particularly to means for the distribution of 011 applied by force-feed lubricators. Y

The object of the invention is the provision of a device which will distribute any desired quantity of lubricant automatically in fixed ratios against diiferent pressures to any part of the machinery and render the use of separate lubricators or pumps for each part unnecessary.

This object is accomplished by the device shown in the accompanying drawings, ,in'

which Figure 1 is a view of my device in side elevation, showing a gage attached. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of Fig. 1, the gage and pi e bein omitted. Fi 3 is a lan view of the distrlbuter proper s own in ig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view, in side elevation of a modified form of distributer and gage. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of distributer shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan view of distributer shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of plate shown in Fig. 5.

Referring now to the illustrations, A is the distributer proper, which is seen situated in an upright position, attached to the supplymain 0.. Leading from the supply-main is another branch pi e b, to which the pressuregage B is attache and re isters the amount of the ressure from the lubricating-machine The distributer consists of a round cage or shell C, smaller at the bottom, where it is screwed to the pipe a, which communicates with the interior of the cage. A taper plug D is supported in the cage, the upper part of the plug fitting the interlor of the up er part of the cage, while the lower endfits t e lower end of the ca e, the middle of the stem part 0 being somew at smaller than the interior of the cage. The inside of the plug is hollow from the lower end, which communicates with the pipe a u to the enlarged part, where a groove (1 encirc es the interior, and annular o enings e e extend through the walls. In t e interior of the stem part c is a similar groove d and similar openings 0' e. The lubricant which is forced into the interior of the plug from the lubricator passes into the cage through these 0 enings, and the force of the lubricant raises t e plug and permits the lubricant to pass out through the pipes E E, which lead to any part of the machinery to be lubricated. As the ipes are of different sizes, dependin upon the quantity of lubricant whlch eac part requires, the flow to each part of the machine 1s easily regulated. The ratio is determined by the area of the opening at the point'of discharge from the distributor. Thequantity is determined by the amount forced into the distributor through the supply-mains.

The upper part of the plug terminates in a screw-threaded stem F, enclrcled by a coilspringf, and is supported in a yoke G, screwed upon the upper part of the cage. The spring rests between the lock-nuts g g, screwed upon the lower end of the stem F and the upper part of the yoke. A nut it upon the outer end of the stem provides means for regulating the depth to which the plu is allowed to sink in the cage. The plug is t us permitted to sink until a perfect oint is made with the inner walls of the cage. The tension of the spring overcomes the pressure of oil. from the lubricator and may be adjusted by turning the lock-nuts g. A packing-gland H and the usual packing in the upper part of the cage against which the u per part of the plug operates prevent any eakage of the lubricant from the top.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is shown a modified form of distributor. The cage is of different shape and is composed of an irregular-shaped up er part A and lower part A, secured toget er by screws a, the two parts being separated by packing j. Instead of the taper plug a straight plug D is provided, to the enlarged part of which is screwed a flat plate B, which freely fills the entire circumference of the central part of the interior of the cage. The lower end of the plug is hollow up to the part which joins the plate and has the interior groove d and the openings e leading into the cage. The plug is also provided with coilspring f, resting between the plate and the 11 per part of the cage, and also the packingg and H and packin 7". On each side of the straight plug is a solid taper plug I, made in the form of a screw and extending through the plate, the lower ends being pointed and ada ted to rest in the entrances E to the out eti es E, which convey the lubricant to the if erent parts of the machinery. Any number of solid plugs may be similarly situated, the number being limited only by the space of the interior of the cage and the plate and by the number of outlets required. The heads of the solid lugs have valve-stems J J, which form a yo e over the heads of the plugs and ton ues k k on the inside of the yokes fitting t e grooves 01 i. in the plug.

heads. The heads of the stems are provided with nuts J J, having milled edges by which the nuts can be more easily turned for adi'ustment of the plugsin the plate and reguating the lengthoi the projecting ends. The points of the plugs are never entirely free of the outlets, as the tops of the yokes will strike the up er part of the interior of the cage before t e points are free. The solid plugs are provided with packing-glands H and packing j and the central plug with a head D, having milled edges.

Both forms of distributer operate upon the same principle, which is that the amount of the lubricant discharged through each outletpipe is determineddiy the size of the entrance to the outlet, and the ratio of discharge through the different outlets is maintained by the tension of the spring around the central plug. As some parts of the machinery have greater back pressure than others, the tension of the spring must be always strong enough to overcome that of the greatest, which is usually that from cylinders of engmes.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

, 1-. In an oil-distributer, an outer shell, a plug therein partly hollow and having communication with the sup ly-main of a lubricator, pipes leading to tiie machinery to be lubricated, and means for regulating the pressure of oil from the lubricator, substantially as described.

2. In an oil-distributor, an outer shell, a central plug therein having inner communication with the su ply-mam of a lubricator and with the interior of the shell, means for regulating the pressure of oil from the lubricator and overcoming the same and pipes leading from the interior of the shell to the machinery to be lubricated, substantially as described.

3. An oil-(listributer consisting of an outer shell, a plate therein freely filling. the shell, a central plug secured to said plate having inner communication with the supply-main of a lubricator and with the interior of the shell,

pipes leading from the interior of the shell to the machinery to be lubricated, plugs secured to said plate and adapted to regulate the supply of oil to said pipes, and means for regulating the pressure of oil from the lubricator, substantially as described.

4. An oil-distributer consisting of an outer shell, a central plug therein having communication with the supply-main of a lubricator, pipes adapted to convey lubricant from said plug, a sprin for regulating the pressure of oil from the ubricator upon said lug and plugs for regulating the supply of Oll to said pipes, substantially as described.

5; An oil-distribute! consisting of an outer shell, a central plug therein having inner communication with the sup ly-main of a lubricator and with pipes leading to the machinery to be lubricated, means for regulating the quantity of oil in said pipes and means for regulating the ressure Oran from the lubricator, substantia ly as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ROLAND H. ELKINS.

Witnesses:

F. W. Lorin, H. O; GAULIVER. 

